“You do have that effect on people.”
Who’d have thought beer, junk food, and a warm campfire was all we needed to make what should have been an uncomfortable night fun? I leaned into Roscoe with one arm against his thigh, warmth flushing my skin even though the air had a frigid bite to it.
“I’m not gonna lie. As annoying as he is sometimes, I feel bad for him,” I said, a little more serious this time.
“I would have fixed that, but you told me not to do anything.”
“Not that. I definitely didn’t want you doing that. I just feel bad that he and Austin have such a shitty relationship. If Adam found out that the only reason Austin was paying him any attention was because he was under some kind of weird spell and obeying my commands, he’d probably lose it.”
“Once he turns, they might end up leavin’, and we’ll get the house all to ourselves.”
“You sound happy about that.”
Roscoe cocked his head. “Not really, but ain’t that what you wanted?”
I thought about it for a moment. A few weeks ago I would have definitely said yes, but I had grown attached to their mayhem.Plus, I didn’t want Austin to end up alone, and that’s what would likely happen if both he and Adam left.
“It’s kinda weird. Just the thought of them leaving makes me anxious,” I said.
“That’s pack envy.”
“What the hell is that?”
“Another fun werewolf thing,” Roscoe said. “We all get pack envy when we’re livin’ with other werewolves. At first, it’s just a bunch of chaos, and then everyone kinda falls into their roles. I’m obviously the leader everyone looks up to.”
I looked at him and put the bottle of beer to my lips. “You’re very drunk and delusional right now.”
“You guys’d be lost without me.”
“All right. Tell me what the leader does?”
“Easy. The leader keeps his pack fed, gives emotional support, is someone everyone comes to depend on, is responsible—”
Roscoe stopped talking, and I watched his expression go from oblivious to a sudden, uncomfortable realization.
“Go on.”
“Well, fuck,” he muttered, taking another gulp of beer. “Ain’t that a switch?”
“What?”
“Ain’t never seen a half-turn leadin’ a pack before.”
I took another drink. “Even Mosavi figured it out before you did.”
Roscoe reached into the box and pulled out a package of cakes.
“How many of those have you had?”
“Uhh,” he sifted through a few empty wrappers.
“Damn it, we’re not going to have enough to trade if your fat ass keeps eating!”
“But they’re so goooood.”
“Put it back.”
“Yes, alpha Cody,” Roscoe replied sarcastically.
